The swearing-in of Umaru Napoleon Koroma as Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security became an emotional celebration of motherhood, sacrifice and resilience when he brought his 82-year-old mother to witness the historic occasion.
President Dr Julius Maada Bio administered the oath of office to Umaru Napoleon Koroma and other newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers on Wednesday September 2, 2026 at State House following their approval by Parliament.
Amid the official proceedings, the presence of Umaru Napoleon Koroma’s mother, Haja Adama Vandy Kamara, captured significant attention and added a deeply personal dimension to the ceremony.
Despite her advanced age and difficulty walking, Haja Kamara attended the event to witness her son assume one of the country’s senior Government positions. Her presence represented the fulfilment of a journey marked by poverty, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to her children’s education.
Umaru Napoleon Koroma publicly recognized his mother for the extraordinary sacrifices she made to keep him and his siblings in school. During difficult periods, she reportedly sold kebbe, measured and sold rice by the cup and worked for other people to provide for her family.
Those struggles helped sustain her children through years of hardship and uncertainty, laying the foundation for Umaru Napoleon Koroma’s journey from Koinadugu to Kailahun, refugee camps in Guinea and eventually Freetown, where education offered him a pathway out of poverty.
For the newly appointed Minister, taking his mother to State House was more than a gesture of personal gratitude. It was a public tribute to parents, especially mothers, who endure hardship and place the education, welfare and future of their children above their own comfort.
Her journey from selling small quantities of rice to witnessing her son take the oath of office as a Cabinet Minister offered a powerful testimony to resilience and the transformative value of education.
Following the ceremony, Umaru Napoleon Koroma expressed gratitude to God and thanked President Bio for entrusting him with the leadership of the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful to God Almighty for the opportunity to take the Oath of Office as Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security,” he stated.
Umaru Napoleon Koroma also thanked the Sierra Leone People’s Party, Parliament, his family, friends, colleagues, supporters and citizens who prayed for and supported him throughout his journey.
He described the appointment as both an honour and a major responsibility, pledging to serve with integrity, humility, dedication and a strong commitment to achieving measurable results.
The Minister said his priorities would include promoting decent employment, protecting workers’ rights and strengthening social-security systems. He also promised to collaborate with colleagues to advance President Bio’s development agenda and improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans.
As Umaru Napoleon Koroma begins his new assignment, the story of his mother’s struggle and sacrifice stands as a reminder that behind many public achievements are parents whose quiet determination makes success possible.
